CEB must earn revenue for customers to benefit – Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament yesterday that electricity consumers would be provided with relief if the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) earned more income.

The CEB earned revenue of Rs.16 billion last October .However, it has been making losses for the last ten months.He said that it is expected that such an income will be received in November as well.

The main problem with the CEB is the allegations regarding the electricity bill. The electricity bill was revised in August.He indicated that the amendment was made after nine years. From 2014 till last August, the Treasury has given money to cover expenses. CPC also like this and both institutions collapsed due to non-implementation of the proper tariff system. A cost representation fee system was introduced last February.

The Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) has not proposed decommissioning. It continues to function as the body that regulates the Electricity Board. He challenges me to tell me where it is said to be deactivated. If there is more income, that benefit is given to the people. There were no laws on lubricant licensing. We invited Abhilash and gave licences. A legal system is also being developed for bunkering. Do not think wrongly about the Electricity Act. Don’t be afraid of that. The Bill will be submitted to Parliament for consideration in January. If it is not possible to pay for an electricity connection at once, a system is made to get the connection to pay in installments. An initial charge of 3,000 rupees was taken to restore the disconnected supply. I was advised to deal with that amount according to the amount of the bill. I hope to reduce it to less than Rs.2,000.

He also said that the proposed 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) increase will not be applicable to diesel and kerosene.

“The final decision on the proposed VAT increase will be taken on December 10 this year. However, attention has been paid to exempt kerosene and diesel from VAT.The construction of Sri Lanka’s second oil refinery in the Hambantota area will begin next month.

Minister Wijesekera said that the cabinet sub-committee has already given approval for this project and hopes to get approval from the cabinet next week.

“Once the second refinery is operational, Sri Lanka will focus on exporting petro-chemicals and petroleum products,” he said.

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